Sermon Prepared by James McCullen
Email Preach Him with Dr. Jim

Biblical Examples of Giving Thanks
Various Verses

Introduction
All of us know we can give thanks at meal time, and during our worship experience, but what other examples of giving thanks are found in the Bible ? I will point out several.
 

1.    Give Thanks that . . Salvation Belongs to God.

    A. God's Salvation Proclaimed on . . Earth. Luke 3:6-8
        6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' " 7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. NKJV

    B. God's Salvation Proclaimed in . . Heaven. Rev 7:10-12
        10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces  before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen." NKJV

Illustration
Friday I went to the T-Rex convience store to by a soda. The saleslady wore a rather large cross. I asked why she wore a cross, and she replied "it was a cross given to my son by my brother when he was in the hospital; my son was in a very bad car wreck and he died."

I said "well that cross is really important to you isn't it. Then I asked "is that the only reason you wear a cross?" She said "on no I believe in God!" I then said "well that is the most important reason isn't it?" She said "yes!" I then said "but I can see why that cross is very important to you," and she said "oh yes you see my son was saved just 2 weeks before he died and I know he is with the Lord."    We talked further and as I left I told her my talk with you has been a blessing." She said "likewise."

Application
I am so glad salvation is God's plan and not mans'
 

2.    Give Thanks for Personal Salvation. Col 1:12-14
        12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. NKJV

    A. Personal Salvation Qualifing us for the . . Partaking. v 12
        12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

    B. Personal Salvation Qualifing us for the . . Power. v 13-14
        13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. NKJV

Illustration
Many times I have heard a non-Christian say "I have thought about becoming a Christian but I don't think I can live a Christian life." That is a good thought that does not go far enough. You see God does not save a person and leave them powerless. He gives power greater than the enemy and He gives His power abundantly.

Do you remember the chorus Thank You Lord?
Thank you Lord for saving my soul Thank you Lord for making me whole . Thank you Lord for giving to me the great salvation so full and free,

Application

I thank God for the plan of salvation.
 
 

3.    Give Thanks for . . Victory Over Sin. 1 Cor 15:57, 2 Cor 2:14

    A. It is a . . Personal Victory. 1 Cor 15:57
        57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. NKJV

    B. It is a . . Prominent Victory. 2 Cor 2:14
        14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. NKJV
 

4.    Give Thanks for . . Fellow Believers. Col. 1:3
        3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
 

5.    Give Thanks for . . Prominent Believers. Rom.16:3-4
        3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
 

6.    Give Thanks for . . God. Rev 4:9-11
        9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."